In brief: City recycling truck hits, kills teenager

A 16-year-old boy died Tuesday after being struck by a city recycling truck near the intersection of Magnesium Avenue and Nevada Street.

About 2 p.m. the truck was making a right turn onto Nevada Street with a green light, and the driver felt a thud and got out to find the young man pinned under the truck, said Spokane Police Officer Jennifer DeRuwe.

The teenager, whose name was not released, was taken to Sacred Heart Medical Center, where he died.

The driver has been placed on paid administrative leave while the incident is investigated, said city spokeswoman Marlene Feist. He has worked for the city since March 2006.

Police ask any witnesses to the incident to call (509) 242-TIPS.

– Christopher Rodkey

Benzel to take leave for cancer surgery

Spokane Public Schools Superintendent Brian Benzel announced Tuesday he will take medical leave in order to receive treatment for cancer.

Benzel, 59, is scheduled to undergo surgery for prostate cancer Thursday and will be on leave until June 11, a few days before the end of the year for students.

“This cancer was detected early, so every indication from my physician is that my recovery will be complete,” Benzel said in a letter to staff. “I am confident in our course of treatment and optimistic about the future.”

Benzel, who was hired in 2001, announced in February that he will step down at the end of this school year to accept a job as the vice president of finance and administration at Whitworth College.

Nancy Stowell, the assistant superintendent for teaching and learning, was appointed interim superintendent by the school district’s board of directors.

She and administrators Mark Anderson and Barb Wright will take over during Benzel’s medical leave.

– Sara Leaming

MAC wants return of dinosaur banner

The Northwest Museum of Art and Culture wants its dinosaur banner back.

Somebody stole the 20-foot by 14-foot banner reading “A T. rex Named Sue” from the north side of the museum’s parking garage on Saturday night.

“It’s disappointing that someone would do something that stupid,” said Jill Strom, of the museum. “What is somebody going to do with 40 pounds of banner?”

It was especially disappointing that it was stolen the night before Bloomsday, when thousands raced past.

But now the museum just wants the banner back for the duration of the dinosaur exhibit. Strom asked for its return, “no questions asked.”

– Jim Kershner

City to pay driver injured in crash

The city of Spokane will pay $157,500 to a motorist who was rear-ended by a Parks Department employee.

The City Council approved the settlement to Lori A. Westerman on Monday night.

On Sept. 1, 2004, Westerman was on Mission Avenue at a stoplight at Ruby Street when she was hit by a city vehicle driven by Ryan Pitkonen, according to court documents.

Westerman originally filed a $10,000 claim against the city in September 2004.

City Attorney Jim Craven said that after she filed her claim, Westerman needed surgery as a result of injuries from the collision.

“As her condition became better known, it got to be a more significant case,” Craven said.

Craven said Pitkonen was a seasonal parks employee.

– Jonathan Brunt